Everything seems to be intact. I was expecting much worse. Buildings blown, trees fallen, fires blazing, the seed of apacolypse rooting below our very feet - it's never as glamorous as you picture it. Nothing has really changed....except me, I suppose. Even that's up for debate. Kaua'i was wonderful. I met some great people. I lived in a beautiful place. The island loved me and hated me. Yurt. I already miss it.

My exit interview was trivial and slim to what I thought it would be. No timeless words of advice, no miraculous secrets, no tears, not even an offer for a ride to the airport, a few laughs, and the unnerving things I've heard and seen....all hidden behind a handshake and a smile. I heard a pregnant woman was fired two weeks before she was set to go on Maternity leave. The act would effectively terminate her health care, successfully thrusting her into labor with nothing more than a blanket hanging over her shoulders. I haven't confirmed its truth, but the rumors feel real. I hope for the best, but that's all i can do...i'm back in California.

The epic realizations of living on an island, the morose expectations of returning - what conclusions have I come to? Will I share them?

I'll share this...the one thing that I will take with me. EAT COLORFULLY & AVOID SUPERMARKETS. That's two things.